17 African Grey parrots were earlier today released at Ngamba IslandChimpanzee Sanctuary by Dr. Jane Goodall. The parrots have been under quarantine in an aviary at the sanctuary for the last 4 months. About 40 of the birds had been illegally shipped from Lebanon but were fortunately confiscated at Sofia Airport, Bulgaria in April 2010. In the process of relocation a number of them had died and only 17 were released earlier today to fly out.

“I am excited to be here and pull the string that has given these parrots their freedom back to fly out,” said Dr. Jane Goodall.

Dr Jane Morris Goodall, DBE (born Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall on 3 April 1934) is a Britishprimatologist, ethologist, anthropologist, and UN Messenger of Peace. Considered to be the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees. She is best known for her 45-year study of social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania and is the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute.

Ngamba Island is a re known sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees, which are experiencing the same threat shared by the Mountain Gorillas of #Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“She is our inspiration for the work we do for the chimpanzee conservation. Dr. Goodall is also passionate about parrots and the rescued parrots from Bulgaria that were brought to Ngamba Island in March 2013 that were released today from the aviary and captive setting. We are proud of this and feel so proud to have Dr. Goodall be the person to pull the door open for the parrots to fly out and be wild again. Pant hoots!” noted Lilly Ajarova the Executive Director at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.